Measurement of current-voltage characteristic curves of solar cells and solar modules

ABSTRACT

A solar cell or solar module is measured during a short pulse of light in such a way that the resulting data for current and voltage at each light intensity is the same as would be measured under steady-state illumination conditions and therefore predictive of the actual performance of the solar cell or solar module in sunlight. A varying voltage is applied to the terminals of the solar cell during a light pulse so that the instantaneous current at a given voltage and light intensity during the light pulse is the same as would be measured under constant illumination at that same given intensity. A constant voltage is modified by a small signal correction that is proportional to the terminal current. Or, the small signal correction is proportional to the light intensity. An analog feedback circuit is constructed using the terminal current or light intensity for feedback in order to provide the requisite varying voltage. The varying voltage may also be supplied by digital synthesis.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to measurement of solar cellsand solar modules, i.e., photovoltaic cells and modules. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a method for themeasurement of current-voltage characteristic curves of solar cells andsolar modules during research and development or production.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the production of solar cells and solar modules, measurement andrating of the resulting cells and modules at the various stages ofproduction is required for quality control, the proper matching of cellsto go into modules, and the rating of the modules at the end ofproduction. Measurement of the solar cells or modules is often doneusing short pulses of light (Van der Pool, Borden, Wiczer, King,Hyvärinen, Keogh).

Typical pulses can be from Xenon lamps discharging a capacitor, as in atypical photographic flashlamp (Borden, Sinton 1996, Hyvärinen, Sinton2000), Xenon lamps with a pulse-forming network (Wiczer), flashlampswith control electronics to control the intensity-time profile, or LEDflashes. Voltage, current and intensity data can be taken for the entirelight pulse (Wiczer, Sinton 1996, Sinton 2000) or for just a point orportion of the light pulse (Borden, Hyvärinen).

Frequently, the acquisition of the current-voltage data for cell ormodule testing is accomplished by ramping the voltage from short-circuitconditions to open-circuit conditions (or from open-circuit toshort-circuit conditions) during a single light pulse while theintensity is close to the intensity of interest in order to obtain theentire current-voltage curve (Wiczer, King, Hyvärinen). This has beenshown to result in significant errors in the measurement of some solarcells and modules due to the delayed time response of the solar cell tothe voltage ramp (King). This error means that the measured results willnot necessarily predict the performance of the solar cell or moduleunder constant illumination, voltage and current conditions, i.e.,steady-state conditions.

For example, King indicates that a 20 V/second voltage ramp rate wouldresult in a 1% error in the measured power output of somehigh-efficiency cells. The method of Hyvärinen, using the example of alinear ramp rate from short circuit to open circuit in 400 μs, resultsin a ramp rate of about 1700 V/s (per cell in series in a module). Thisramp rate is about 85 times too fast for a measurement of the cellsdescribed in King to achieve a 1% accuracy relative to the steady state.Some modern commercial cells require ramp rates of less than 5 V/s (percell in series) in order to have less than 1% of error due to thetransient response time of the cell to changing voltage. For a linearvoltage ramp from short-circuit to open-circuit voltage as in Wiczer,King and Hyvärinen, this measurement could take 130 ms and is notpractical for short light pulses.

Maintaining a constant current during a pulse with varying illuminationintensity results in a high rate of voltage ramping and can also resultin inaccurate measurements for high-efficiency silicon solar cells(Borden, Ossenbrink). Under constant current conditions, very highvoltage ramp rates result as the voltage responds to the changing lightintensity during the pulse.

A common solution to these problems is to hold the voltage constantduring a light pulse, and to only measure one current-voltage point ateach intensity during the pulse (Keogh, Sinton 2005). By holding thevoltage constant during the light pulse, the time response of the solarcell or solar module is much better, yielding a more accurate result(Keogh). Using this method, a full curve of current-voltage points at agiven intensity is constructed by taking multiple flashes and extractingthe relevant data.

This constant voltage method has been shown, however, to havesignificant error in the case of newer generations of high-efficiencysolar cells in cases when the light intensity is not constant during themeasurement. Even this best case of maintaining a constant voltageduring the light pulse has been shown to have significant transienterrors that result in the current-voltage-intensity data beingsignificantly different than the steady-state results that would beobtained under conditions of constant current, voltage, and light. Thisdiscrepancy has been shown to be due to changes in the stored charge inthe solar cells that can occur even when the terminal voltage at thesolar cells or modules is held constant (Sinton 2005). These errors canmake this data a very inaccurate predictor of the characteristics of thesolar cell or module under constant light conditions such as sunlight.This makes the data from flash testing very unreliable for predictingcell or module performance for these types of solar cells and modules.

These inaccuracies are largest for high-voltage solar cells. Assuccessive generations of solar cells continue to improve, a larger andlarger fraction of all solar cells produced will be subject to thesemeasurement errors when measured under pulsed light. Since the majorityof solar modules produced today are measured using flashlamp solarsimulators, these errors in measurement are becoming a serious issuethat requires a good solution.

FIG. 1 illustrates a graph 10 showing the computer-modeled prior artcurrent response of a commercial solar cell to a pulse of light. Graph10 is a PC1D (Clugston) numerical simulation of the time response of acommercial high-efficiency solar cell. This simulation is with theterminals of the solar cell held at a constant voltage corresponding tothe maximum power point of the solar cell (580 mV in this case) at 0.1W/cm² of incident power. The instantaneous measured current 20 isdelayed, shifted to the right compared to the light intensity 30. Thesteady-state current 40 that would be measured at each light intensityfor a constant light source is shown for comparison. The instantaneouscurrent is lower than the steady state current during the lightintensity rise time, and higher than the steady state current during thefall time. Neither is the correct steady-state result for thatintensity. There is only one fleeting moment where the curves cross andthe instantaneous current accurately predicts the steady-state current.

Even as the incident light drops to zero, current still flows at theconstant voltage giving the module an apparently infinite powerconversion efficiency after the light has been extinguished. Clearly,this is not predictive of the steady-state power production of a solarcell with no illumination.

Due to the above inaccuracies in the measurement of solar cells andmodules, an improved measurement technique is desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the foregoing, and in accordance with the purpose of thepresent invention, a technique is disclosed that overcomes the problemof transient errors due to measurement during a short pulse of light.The present invention enables the use of short pulses of light toaccurately measure the characteristics of solar cells and modules inorder to accurately predict their performance under steady-stateillumination conditions.

Rather than holding the voltage at the terminals of the solar cell orsolar module constant during the pulse, the voltage at the solar cell orsolar module terminals is varied by a small signal that is proportionalto the current flowing at the terminals. The resulting data forinstantaneous current and voltage at a given intensity during the lightpulse is as close as possible to the value that would be measured at thesame constant current and constant voltage under constant illumination.

In one specific embodiment, the voltage is varied according to theequation (Equation 1):Voltage=K1−K2*Current,where Voltage is the terminal voltage, K1 and K2 are constants, andCurrent is the terminal current.

In a second specific embodiment, the voltage is varied according to theequation (Equation 2):Voltage=K1−K2*Light Intensity,

where Voltage is the terminal voltage, K1 and K2 are constants, andLight Intensity is the illumination incident upon the solar cell ormodule.

In a third specific embodiment, the voltage is varied according to theequation:Voltage=K1−K2*Function(Light Intensity),

where Voltage is the terminal voltage, K1 and K2 are constants, andLight Intensity is the illumination incident upon the solar cell ormodule. Function is the function that will give the expected current foreach particular light intensity based on a typical relationship betweencurrent, intensity and voltage for a solar cell or solar module of thetype that is being measured.

The voltage may be controlled using analog feedback, digital synthesisor other suitable technique. By applying this variable voltage to thesolar cell or module terminals during a light pulse the measured currentis now the same on the rising and falling sides of the light pulse ateach light intensity. This current is also the same as the current thatwould be measured under steady state conditions. The small signal term,K2*terminal current, in Equation 1 (for example) is designed to maintainconstant stored charge within the solar cell or solar module. Itcounteracts changes in the electron- and hole-density profiles in thesolar cells, as well as voltage drops due to wiring, solar cellmetallization and internal series resistance. This results in fastertime response of the solar cell to changing light conditions.

The present invention is applicable to measurement of a wide variety ofsolar cells and solar modules. The present invention works well withsilicon solar cells in general, and more specifically withhigh-efficiency high-voltage solar cells having an internal capacitancethat is orders of magnitude higher than typical industrial silicon solarcells previously manufactured. In particular, high-efficiency siliconsolar cells manufactured by BP, Sanyo and SunPower are well suited forthe present invention. Further, the present invention is useful with awide variety of solar cell simulators including discrete flashsimulators and multi-flash simulators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, together with further advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the computer-modeled prior art currentresponse of a commercial solar cell to a pulse of light.

FIG. 2 is a graph of terminal voltage vs. time according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a graph of instantaneous and steady-state current vs. time.

FIG. 4 is a prior art graph of current density vs. light intensity.

FIG. 5 is a graph of current density vs. light intensity.

FIG. 6 is a graph of light intensity and module voltage vs. time with anearly constant voltage.

FIG. 7 is a graph of current density vs. light intensity for a nearlyconstant voltage.

FIG. 8 is a graph of light intensity and varying module voltage vs.time.

FIG. 9 is a graph of cell current density vs. light intensity for thevarying voltage shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an analog feedback system using a lightintensity signal.

FIG. 11 is a graph of light intensity and voltage as a function of time.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an analog feedback system using a terminalcurrent signal.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an implementation using a digital waveformto control the terminal voltage.

FIG. 14 is a graph of current and efficiency vs. cell voltage.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate a computer system 900 suitable forimplementing embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The measurement of solar cells and modules using pulsed light has manyadvantages over the use of continuous light. But, because the timeresponse of solar cells and modules can be quite slow, thesemeasurements often have errors in the measured current and voltagecompared to the measurement of the same cells or modules underconstant-light conditions at the same illumination intensity.

In the measurement of solar cells and modules, the details of the moduleorigin are often unknown. Experts in measuring modules generally treatthese modules as black boxes, with terminal characteristics that must bemeasured correctly and repeatably. For example, in the studies by Kingthe ramp rate was varied to be slower and slower until the result nolonger depended upon the ramp rate. This technique determinedappropriate measurement conditions that approximate the steady state.This results in an operating mode that requires a very long pulse with auniform intensity in conjunction with a very slow ramp rate in order toobtain measurements that would predict the steady-state performance ofthe solar cell or module.

Unfortunately, simple variation of these common methods of solar cellmeasurement (utilizing constant current, constant resistance, constantvoltage, or ramped voltage during a nominally constant portion of thelight pulse), does not lead to a solution to the problem at hand. Andalthough the time-response problem discussed above was noted as early as1981 in Borden, to date there has been no solution for the general caseof a light pulse with intensity varying with time during themeasurement.

To address the problem at hand, the present inventor performed detailedstudies on solar cell behavior, such as the minority-carrier densityprofile within the solar cell, following the method of Sinton 1987a, aswell as detailed studies of the time-dependent profiles of these carrierdensities Sinton 1987b. These studies indicate that increasing anddecreasing the stored charge in the solar cell is the limiting factor inthe time response of the solar cell based on the physics of the solarcell operation. Further, it is realized that the stored charge has termsrelated to the junction voltage, the current density, and the celldesign (particularly the distance from the point of photogeneration ofthe electron-hole pairs to the collecting junction). For example, a PC1Dsimulation of the charge (holes) in a high-efficiency n-typebackside-contact solar cell reveals that the charge has two parts, auniform carrier density component dictated by the junction voltage atthe back of the cell, and a “transit” component that depends on thecarrier-density gradients that drive the current. Both of these terms inthe stored charge have a component that depends upon the currentdensity.

It is thus further realized that the factors to be controlled are: (1)terminal voltage, as previously recognized, (2) junction voltagevariation due to series resistance between the terminals and thesolar-cell junction; and (3) transit capacitance due to the cell designand the distance of the collecting junction from the photogeneration(this transit capacitance is the build up of electron-hole pairs thatoccurs before a current can flow or change magnitude). Therefore, as thesecond and third factors are dependent upon the current, it is realizedthat in the region of the current-voltage curve near the maximum powerpoint, a correction is possible using a small signal variation of thevoltage that is proportional to the current. The below technique is thusnot a simple variation of the above-listed common methods of solar cellmeasurement; the proposed technique provides a voltage-time profile thatbest maintains a constant charge and charge-density profile within thesolar cell wafer thickness during the pulse.

VOLTAGE PROPORTIONAL TO CURRENT OR LIGHT INTENSITY

It is realized that applying a varying voltage to the terminals of thesolar cell during a light pulse will result in a more accurate currentmeasurement. In particular, if a constant voltage is modified by a smallsignal correction that is proportional to the terminal current then themeasured current will be very nearly the same as the current that wouldbe measured under steady-state conditions. In one specific embodiment,the voltage is varied according to the equation (Equation 1):Voltage=K1−K2*Current,where Voltage is the terminal voltage, K1 and K2 are constants, andCurrent is the terminal current. The constant K2 is chosen so that thecurrent is the same on the rising and falling sides of the curve.Similarly, this constant can be chosen so that light pulses of differingshapes give the same measured current-voltage points at a givenintensity, making the measurement independent of pulse shape.Preferably, the small signal term in Equation 1 (for example),K2*Current, is about 5% to 15% of the constant voltage term K1 whenK1−K2*current is the maximum power point of the solar cell or module.This small signal correction is sufficient to compensate for wiring andinternal series resistance and other effects in order to maintainconstant stored charge in the solar cell. The invention works well whenthe small signal term is about 10% of the constant voltage term when thevoltage is at the maximum power point for the solar cell or solarmodule. If a constant K2 is chosen that is too large, then theinstantaneous current is again different for the leading and trailingsides of the illumination pulse at any given intensity. Hence, there isa unique K2 and the resulting data indicates when it is correct. Choiceof the best value for K2 is dependent upon the type of the solar cell orsolar module. A good rule of thumb is that the lower bound for K2 is theseries resistance of the cell (or module) under test, R_(s).

The present invention is suitable for use with a wide variety ofsimulators. The invention is especially relevant to “multiflash”simulators that use a pulse train of relatively short light pulses(similar to the light pulse shown in FIG. 1) to characterize a module.These simulators may include several models from Spire Corp., NPC, andYamashita Denso. Most other flash simulators use a single flashtechnique with a longer pulse. When measuring high-efficiency modules,these simulators can be used in a “multiflash” mode, although usuallywith a smaller number of pulses because the time between flashes can beseveral seconds or more for this type of simulator. This invention isalso useful for these simulators when used in this multiflash mode.

Constant K1 is chosen so that the voltage, V=K1−K2*terminal current,gives a data point at a particular voltage of interest for themeasurement. Next, K2 can be further refined experimentally by varyingit in order to minimize the difference between the current-voltagepoints measured during the rise time and the fall time of theillumination pulse. For example, K2 is varied until a cell currentversus intensity graph resembles more the graph of FIG. 9 than that ofFIG. 7. This technique works particularly well with the multi-flash typesimulators since these have pulse shapes similar to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3with a symmetrical shape.

For the other discrete flash simulators where the pulse shape may beasymmetrical, K2 is better determined by varying it in order to minimizethe difference between the current measured at each intensity fordifferent shapes of light pulses, using data from either the rising orfalling sides of the light pulse or both. When the measured current,voltage and intensity is the most independent of the pulse shape in theregion of voltage near the maximum power point voltage of the solar cellor module, then the constants are optimized to give the steady-stateresult.

FIG. 2 illustrates the terminal voltage vs. time profile that gives aresult where the instantaneous current predicts the steady-statecurrent. In this case, voltage 110 is varied asVoltage=0.605−0.6467*Current Density,where constant K1=0.605, constant K2=0.6467 and where Voltage is involts, and Current Density is in A/cm².

FIG. 3 is a graph 200 showing the instantaneous and steady-state currentversus time for an embodiment of the present invention. In this example,if voltage 110 is applied to the solar cell under test as shown in FIG.2 then the instantaneous measured current 220 is the same as thesteady-state current. Both currents lie on the same curve, andtherefore, short pulses of light can be used to determine thesteady-state characteristics of the solar cells or solar modules.

Computer simulations as well indicate that when the current is the sameon the rising and falling sides of the pulse for the same intensity,then the data corresponds to the steady-state data that would beobtained at the same constant voltage, current, and intensity. Thefollowing two figures illustrate this point.

FIG. 4 is a graph 300 showing current density versus light intensity forthe prior art situation illustrated in FIG. 1. During the light pulse,terminal voltage 310 is held constant. As shown, during the rise time ofthe light intensity the current 320 measured low, while during the falltime of the light intensity the current measured high (compared topredicted steady-state current 340). The resulting curve forinstantaneous current 320 forms a large loop on the graph. One can seethat the steady-state current values 340 fall on a straight-line withinthe loop. Prior art graph 300 clearly shows that the instantaneousmeasured current is different than the steady-state current for similarlight intensity and voltage values.

FIG. 5 is a graph 400 showing current density versus light intensityaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. Graph 400 shows avoltage 410 applied to the solar cell or module according to Equation 1and is to be contrasted with graph 300. In this example, voltage 410 atthe terminals of the cell or module is varied with a small signalproportional to the terminal current (V=0.605−0.6467*Current Density).The simulated result is then identical for the rising and falling sidesof the illumination pulse and the instantaneous current 420 is alsoidentical to the steady-state current data. Thus, the instantaneous datais predictive of the steady-state data.

Since the current at the maximum power point is nearly proportional tothe light intensity, it is further realized that the terminal voltagemay also be varied as the measured light intensity to achieve similarresults. It is thus possible to construct the voltage vs. time profileusing the measured light intensity instead of the measured currentaccording to the equation (Equation 2):Voltage=Constant Voltage−K2*Light Intensity.

In either case, the current-voltage curve of the solar cell or modulemay then be assembled using Equations 1 or 2 by taking data for severalpulses at different values for the Constant Voltage, K1.

VOLTAGE PROFILE CIRCUIT IMPLEMENTATION

Experimental data confirms these predictions. Analog feedback is used tocontrol the load and apply a voltage profile to the terminals of acommercial silicon solar module consisting of 96 cells in series. Inthis example, the module used is a commercially-purchased SanyoHIP-190BA3 module having 96 silicon solar cells connected in series.

The data from the entire pulse was recorded and analyzed to determinethe data points (current, voltage and intensity) during the entire lightpulse. This data acquisition of the whole pulse is similar to previouslyused techniques to construct current-voltage curves fromphotoconductance data from silicon wafers (Sinton 1996) and voltage datafrom solar cells or solar cell precursors (Sinton 2000).

FIG. 6 is a graph showing light intensity and a constant module voltageversus time. In this graph voltage 512 is nearly constant and intensity514 varies as shown. FIG. 7 is a graph showing cell current versusintensity for the constant voltage applied as in FIG. 6. When a nearlyconstant voltage 512 is maintained at the module terminals, the currentvs. intensity graph of FIG. 7 shows a loop 552 (similar to that shown inthe computer-modeled case above). In other words, measurements at nearlyconstant voltage resulted in a low current on the rising side of thelight intensity pulse and a high current on the falling edge of thepulse. By contrast, application of the present invention produces betterresults.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing intensity and a varying module voltage versustime. In this graph voltage 532 is proportional to the terminal currentand intensity 534 varies as shown. FIG. 9 is a graph showing cellcurrent versus intensity for the varying voltage applied as in FIG. 8.When a voltage 532 is applied according to Equation 1 using an analogfeedback circuit, the measured current data 572 of FIG. 9 during therise time and fall time of the intensity pulse is nearly the same. Inother words, when feedback is used to keep the terminal voltage at:V=61.68−1.6445*Current(module),as shown in FIG. 8, the current data 572 during the rising of theintensity is nearly the same as during the falling of the intensity.This indicates that the appropriate values for K1 and K2 for this moduleare 61.68 Volts and 1.6445 Ohms, respectively, at the maximum powervoltage of 54.8 Volts.

FIG. 10 illustrates an analog feedback system 600 to control the load ona solar module and thus provide the desired voltage profile. Analogfeedback is used to control a HEXFET load transistor in order to imposethe terminal voltage as prescribed by Equation 2.

In this particular embodiment, a light pulse from flashlamp 610 issimultaneously incident upon solar module 620 (or upon a solar cell) andan intensity detector 630. The solar module voltage is measured at theterminals of the module 640 while the module current is measured at a 50m ohm shunt resistor 650. The light intensity detector produces avoltage proportional to the intensity and is measured as the signalacross potentiometer 660. This general configuration is common tovirtually all pulsed-light solar cell or solar cell module testers.

A signal proportional to intensity is adjusted by 50 k ohm potentiometer660. An operational amplifier 670 offsets this current signal by aconstant voltage, Vref 680. The resulting signal 690 (Vref−K*LightIntensity), is fed into the low input of operational amplifier 696,having a resistor 697 connected to its output. A signal 691 proportionalto the module voltage is adjusted through the potentiometer 695, and fedinto the high input of the operational amplifier 696. Whenever themodule voltage signal 691 exceeds reference signal 690 the HEXFETtransistor 698 gate is driven high, and this transistor draws morecurrent from module 620. Since the module voltage will drop when currentis drawn, this feedback forces the module voltage (measured acrossterminals 640) to track proportionally to the voltage at signal 690.This feedback restores the module voltage to the desired value asindicated by Equation 2. As discussed earlier, use of Equation 2 is avery close approximation to Equation 1. The constant K2 is determined inthis circuit by the potentiometer 660 as well as the potentiometer 695.The current is measured as the voltage drop across the shunt resistor650.

In one particular implementation of this embodiment, operationalamplifier 670 is component AD620, operational amplifier 696 is componentAD620, resistor 697 is 250 ohms, and transistor 698 is componentIRFP2907.

FIG. 11 illustrates the intensity and module voltage versus timeresulting from the circuit of FIG. 10. Trace 730 is the light intensityin suns over time. Trace 760 is the desired trace according to Equation1, V=61.68V−*1.6445*Current(module), and reflects the voltage that wouldbe placed at the terminals of the module or solar cell in the idealcase. Trace 710 is the actual voltage resulting from the circuit shownin FIG. 10, and reflects the measurements shown in FIGS. 6-9 and in FIG.13. As shown, trace 710 very closely tracks the ideal voltage trace 760and thus provides a good approximation of the desired result.

A variation on this embodiment is to vary the voltage by the followingequation:Voltage=K1−K2*Function (Light Intensity)where Function is designed to give the expected current for each lightintensity based on a typical relationship between current, intensity andvoltage for a solar cell or solar module of the type that is beingmeasured. For example, such a function can be (Equation 3)I=Isc*(Light intensity)−C*e ^((q(V+IRs)/nkT)))+(V+IRs)/Rshuntwhere Isc is the terminal short-circuit current at one sun, lightintensity is in units of suns, V is the terminal voltage per cell inseries, I is the current, C, n, Rs, Rshunt are all fitting parametersfit to experimental data.

For example, using a numerical simulation of the same solar cell as inFIGS. 1-5, the function for the terminal current, Equation 3, predictsthe current within 1% accuracy for intensities from 0.8 to 1.2 suns, andvoltages between 0 and 0.63V. The fit parameters in this case are:

-   Isc(A/cm²) C(A/cm²) Rs(Ohm-cm²) Rsh(Ohm-cm²)n    -   0.040199 8.84E-13 0.406954 1000000 1.0739

Alternatively, interpolation based on a lookup table of actual dataconsisting of current-voltage-illumination sets of points from a typicalsolar cell would be used. In Equation 3 at the maximum power point for atypical solar cell or module, the sum of the 2^(nd) and 3^(rd) terms isnominally only a 5% correction to the first term. This fact, that thecurrent is very nearly proportional to intensity, indicates why Equation2 is a good approximation of Equation 1 near the maximum power point ofthe solar cell or module.

The circuit shown in FIG. 10 bases feedback upon measured lightintensity, and is advantageous in that it tends to produce a more stablesignal. As an alternative to using feedback based upon a real-timemeasurement of the light intensity, measurement of the current may beused instead to implement the desired voltage. Using the current signal,however, can lead to unstable feedback in that the current signal ismore susceptible to circuit oscillation. From a strictly theoreticalstandpoint, though, analysis of the underlying physics indicates thatfeedback based upon the current signal (in accordance with Equation 1)is best.

A similar circuit to the circuit 600 shown in FIG. 10 can implementEquation 1 by using the signal from the current sensor in place of thelight intensity sensor 630. FIG. 12 illustrates an analog feedbacksystem 800 to provide the desired voltage profile that uses a signalfrom the current sensor. Instead of potentiometer 660 receiving inputfrom intensity detector 630, input is received from across shuntresistor 650. Thus, potentiometer 660 can be used to choose a fractionof the current signal. This current signal is added to a referencevoltage 680, giving a signal 690, Vref−K*Current; this signal is in theform of Equation 1. Signal 690 is fed into the low input of operationalamplifier 696 and the system operates as described above.

Another alternative is to digitally synthesize the desired voltage timeprofile and apply this signal to the terminals of the solar cell orsolar module in synchronization with the light pulse. This method islikely to be very stable and unlikely to oscillate because there wouldbe no electrical feedback loop in the circuit.

FIG. 13 illustrates a digital system 850 to provide the desired voltageprofile using digital synthesis. System 850 is similar to the system ofFIG. 10 except that signal 870 is provided by computer 860 instead oforiginating from operational amplifier 670. Computer 860 includes aninput interface 865 for accepting as input the terminal voltage 640, theterminal current and the light intensity via potentiometer 660. Computer860 also includes suitable hardware for analog-to-digital conversionsuch as an analog-to-digital data acquisition card, and hardware fordigital-to-analog conversion such as a waveform generator.

In operation, light source 610 emits a series of light pulses that areincident upon solar module 620 and intensity detector 630. For eachlight pulse, the computer records the terminal voltage, the terminalcurrent and the light intensity signals during the entire light pulseusing an analog-to-digital data acquisition card. After the data from apulse N is recorded, the computer calculates the ideal voltage vs. timetrace based on Equation 1 so that V(t)=K1−K2*I(t) using the data frompulse N.

This equation is then converted into a pulse, V(t), in a dataacquisition card waveform generator (a digital-to-analog conversion).This waveform 870 is then applied to the low input of operationalamplifier 696 in synchronization with light pulse N+1, thus forcing thesolar module voltage to be proportional to this waveform as in theanalog feedback case. If there is good reproducibility of the lightwaveform from pulse to pulse, then instead of using pulse N to calculatethe waveform for pulse N+1, data from any typical pulse may be used.Also, if the voltage waveform of the N+1 pulse is measured at pulse N+1and found to differ from the ideal V(t) due to imperfect circuitresponse, then the computer can calculate the difference between theactual V(t) and the ideal V(t) and compensate in the signal output 870,so that the measured V(t) for each pulse best corresponds to the idealV(t) according to Equation 1.

The constant K2 may be determined once for any given cell technology,and then used to measure all modules or cells of that type. The accuracyof each measurement can be reported based on the width in current of theloop at a given intensity and voltage of interest as in FIG. 4. Forexample, if this width in current between the two branches of the loopwas greater than ±2% of the current at the intensity of interest (1sun), then K2 can be adjusted until the loop closed down back into aline indicating that it is reporting the steady-state result forcurrent.

The technique of using analog feedback works best with the single-flashsimulators, while the digital synthesis technique may work better withthe multi-flash type simulators.

CURRENT-VOLTAGE CURVE AND CELL EFFICIENCY

Whether the circuit is implemented as shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 12, in asimilar analog feedback system or by using digital synthesis, acurrent-voltage curve may be plotted and cell efficiency calculated.FIG. 14 shows a current-voltage curve 992 and cell efficiency curve 994for a particular solar cell at one sun of illumination intensity. Byvarying the reference voltage for successive pulses, different voltagepoints of the current-voltage curve are obtained for each light pulseuntil an adequate curve of data points is achieved. As shown, currentdensity is constant, and cell efficiency increases, up to about 55 voltsat which point the current and cell efficiency drop off dramatically Themaximum power point, 54.8V for this module, is of particular interestbecause the power output rating of the module will be based on thismeasured data point.

In general, the shorter the pulse of light required to obtain accuratemeasurements, the quicker the measurement. For flashlamp pulses or LEDlight pulses, the cost of the illumination source is often dependentupon the average power required because smaller power supplies can beused for shorter pulses. For short pulses and low duty cycles, little orno active cooling is required in the power supplies or circuitry. Thus,the present invention allows the accurate prediction of the steady stateperformance of high-efficiency solar cells based upon measurements usingshort light pulses, allowing quick, accurate, and inexpensivemeasurements of solar cells or solar modules. Many existing flashlampmodule testers within industry can be retrofitted using the noveltechniques described herein in order to measure the new generations ofhigh-efficiency solar modules accurately.

ALTERNATIVE EQUATIONS FOR VOLTAGE

Although the form of Equation 1 is anticipated to be an adequatecorrection for most high-efficiency solar cells, it is anticipated thatan equation having higher order terms may improve the correction forsome cases, for example of the form:V(t)=K1−K2*current+/−K3*(current)²+/− . . .

There are numerous cases where higher order terms may be useful, forexample, cases where the K2*current term is larger than about 26 mV percell in series (about 5% of the maximum power voltage for most cells).In this case, different parts of the solar cell may be running atsignificantly different voltages, introducing non-linear effects intothe distribution of charge within the solar cell. Cases where the solarcell design is highly 2- or 3-dimensional also create non-linear effectsin the charge distribution within the solar cell. This can result insignificant charge storage even at short-circuit conditions at the solarcell or module terminals. In cases where the photogeneration in thesolar cell is far from the collection junction the resulting chargestorage in the solar cell even at short-circuit conditions is comparableto the charge storage at the maximum power voltage.

Even when these effects are present, the K2*current term is the maineffect and is likely to be an adequate correction term for the purposesof making accurate measurements of the solar cells or modules. The caseslisted above tend to decrease the efficiency of high-efficiency cells,and therefore these cases are minimized in high-efficiency solar cells.Although non-linear terms may be present for perfectly correct terms formeasurements under pulsed light, most solar cells will be measuredsuitably using the form of Equation 1.

The following references referred to herein are all hereby incorporatedby reference:

-   [1] Kees van der Pool et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,129,823.-   [2] P. G. Borden et al., Proc. IEEE Photovoltaics Conference, 1981,    pp. 193-196.-   [3] J. J. Wiczer et al., Proc. IEEE Photovoltaics Conference, 1981,    pp. 448-453.-   [4] D. L. King, J. M. Gee, and B. R. Hanson, Proc. 20th IEEE    Photovoltaics Conference, 1988, pp. 555-559.-   [5] R. A. Sinton et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 69 (17), 21 Oct. 1996.-   [6] H. A. Ossenbrink et al., Proc. IEEE Photovoltaics Conference,    1993, pp. 1194-1196.-   [7] Jaakko Hyvärinen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,839.-   [8] R. A. Sinton and A. Cuevas, Proc. 16^(th) EPSEC, 2000, pp.    1152-1155.-   [9] William M. Keogh, Andrew W. Blakers and Andres Cuevas, Solar    Energy Materials and Solar Cells 81, 2004, pp. 183-186.-   [10] D. A. Clugston and P. Basore, Proc. 26^(th) IEEE, September    1997.-   [11] R. A. Sinton et al., Proc. 19th EPSEC, 2005.-   [12] R. A. Sinton et al., IEEE Trans. Elec. Dev. Vol. 34, No. 10,    pp. 2116-2123, October 1987-   [13] R. A. Sinton, IEEE Trans. Elec. Dev. Vol. ED-34, No. 6, pp.    1380-1389, June 1987.

COMPUTER SYSTEM EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate a computer system 900 suitable forimplementing embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 15A shows onepossible physical form of the computer system. Of course, the computersystem may have many physical forms including an integrated circuit, aprinted circuit board, a small handheld device (such as a mobiletelephone or PDA), a personal computer or a super computer. Computersystem 900 includes a monitor 902, a display 904, a housing 906, a diskdrive 908, a keyboard 910 and a mouse 912. Disk 914 is acomputer-readable medium used to transfer data to and from computersystem 900.

FIG. 15B is an example of a block diagram for computer system 900.Attached to system bus 920 are a wide variety of subsystems.Processor(s) 922 (also referred to as central processing units, or CPUs)are coupled to storage devices including memory 924. Memory 924 includesrandom access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). As is well knownin the art, ROM acts to transfer data and instructions uni-directionallyto the CPU and RAM is used typically to transfer data and instructionsin a bi-directional manner. Both of these types of memories may includeany suitable of the computer-readable media described below. A fixeddisk 926 is also coupled bi-directionally to CPU 922; it providesadditional data storage capacity and may also include any of thecomputer-readable media described below. Fixed disk 926 may be used tostore programs, data and the like and is typically a secondary storagemedium (such as a hard disk) that is slower than primary storage. Itwill be appreciated that the information retained within fixed disk 926,may, in appropriate cases, be incorporated in standard fashion asvirtual memory in memory 924. Removable disk 914 may take the form ofany of the computer-readable media described below.

CPU 922 is also coupled to a variety of input/output devices such asdisplay 904, keyboard 910, mouse 912 and a multi-function dataacquisition card capable of high-speed analog-to-digital conversion aswell as high-speed digital-to-analog conversion 930. In general, aninput/output device may be any of: video displays, track balls, mice,keyboards, microphones, touch-sensitive displays, transducer cardreaders, magnetic or paper tape readers, tablets, styluses, voice orhandwriting recognizers, biometrics readers, or other computers. CPU 922optionally may be coupled to another computer or telecommunicationsnetwork using network interface 940. With such a network interface, itis contemplated that the CPU might receive information from the network,or might output information to the network in the course of performingthe above-described method steps. Furthermore, method embodiments of thepresent invention may execute solely upon CPU 922 or may execute over anetwork such as the Internet in conjunction with a remote CPU thatshares a portion of the processing.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention further relate tocomputer storage products with a computer-readable medium that havecomputer code thereon for performing various computer-implementedoperations. The media and computer code may be those specially designedand constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they maybe of the kind well known and available to those having skill in thecomputer software arts. Examples of computer-readable media include, butare not limited to: magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, andmagnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROMs and holographic devices;magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and hardware devices thatare specially configured to store and execute program code, such asapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logicdevices (PLDs) and ROM and RAM devices. Examples of computer codeinclude machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and filescontaining higher-level code that are executed by a computer using aninterpreter.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail forpurposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certainchanges and modifications may be practiced within the scope of theappended claims. Therefore, the described embodiments should be taken asillustrative and not restrictive, and the invention should not belimited to the details given herein but should be defined by thefollowing claims and their full scope of equivalents.

1. A method for measuring characteristics of a solar cell or solarmodule, said method comprising: applying a light pulse to said solarcell or solar module such that a terminal current is produced at theterminals of the solar cell or solar module; varying a terminal voltageat the terminals of said solar cell or solar module during said lightpulse wherein said terminal voltage varies substantially by the equationterminal voltage=K1−K2*(terminal current), wherein said values K1 and K2are positive constants and K2 is nonzero; and measuring said terminalcurrent and said terminal voltage at instantaneous intensities duringsaid light pulse, wherein said values K1 and K2 are chosen such thatsaid measured terminal current and terminal voltage at each illuminationintensity during said light pulse are substantially similar to steadystate current and voltage data at each illumination intensity.
 2. Amethod as recited in claim 1 wherein the value K2*(terminal current) isin a range of about 5% to about 15% of the value K1 when the valueK1−K2*(terminal current) is the maximum power voltage of the solar cellor module.
 3. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein the valueK2*(terminal current) is about 10% of the value K1 when the valueK1−K2*(terminal current) is the maximum power voltage of the solar cellor module.
 4. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said light is froma flashlamp, LED source, or other pulsed light source.
 5. A method asrecited in claim 4 wherein said light is from a Xenon flashlamp.
 6. Amethod as recited in claim 1 wherein said terminal voltage is producedusing feedback from said solar cell or solar module and analogcircuitry.
 7. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said terminalvoltage is produced using digital synthesis.
 8. A method as recited inclaim 1 further comprising: applying successive light pulses to saidsolar cell or solar module; and stepping the value K1 from 0 volts up tothe open-circuit voltage of said solar cell or solar module.
 9. A methodas recited in claim 1 wherein said equation includes at least one higherorder term terms.
 10. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said solarcell or solar module is a high-efficiency solar cell or solar modulehaving an efficiency of greater than about 17%.
 11. A method as recitedin claim 1 further comprising: varying said terminal voltage to maintaina constant stored charge in said solar cell or solarmodule.
 12. A methodfor measuring characteristics of a solar cell or solar module, saidmethod comprising: applying a light pulse to said solar cell or solarmodule; receiving said light pulse at an intensity detector andproducing a signal corresponding to light intensity; varying a terminalvoltage at the terminals of said solar cell or solar module during saidlight pulse wherein said terminal voltage varies substantially by theequationterminal voltage=K1−K2*(light intensity signal), wherein said values K1and K2 are positive constants and K2 is nonzero; and measuring saidterminal current and said terminal voltage at instantaneous intensitiesduring said light pulse, wherein said values K1 and K2 are chosen suchthat said measured terminal current and terminal voltage at eachillumination intensity during said light pulse are substantially similarto steady state current and voltage data at each illumination intensity.13. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein the value K2*(lightintensity signal) is in a range of about 5% to about 15% of the value K1when the value K1−K2*(light intensity signal) is the maximum powervoltage of the solar cell or module.
 14. A method as recited in claim 13wherein the value K2*(light intensity signal) is about 10% of the valueK1 when the value K1−K2*(light intensity signal) is the maximum powervoltage of the solar cell or module.
 15. A method as recited in cliam 12wherein said light pulse is from a flashlamp, LED source, or otherpulsed light source.
 16. A method as recited in claim 15 wherein saidlight pulse is from a Xenon flashlamp.
 17. A method as recited in claim12 wherein said terminal voltage is produced using output from saidintensity detector and analog circuitry.
 18. A method as recited inclaim 12 wherein said terminal voltage is produced using digitalsynthesis.
 19. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein said terminalvoltage varies asterminal voltage=K1−K2*function (light intensity signal), wherein saidfunction is designed to give an expected terminal current for each lightintensity for said solar cell or solar module.
 20. A method as recitedin claim 12 further comprising: applying successive light pulses to saidsolar cell or solar module; and stepping the value K1 from 0 volts up tothe open-circuit voltage of said solar cell or solar module.
 21. Amethod as recited in claim 12 wherein said equation includes at leastone higher order term.
 22. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein saidsolar cell or solar module is a high-efficiency solar cell or solarmodule having an efficiency of greater than about 17%.
 23. A method asrecited in claim 12 further comprising: varying said terminal voltage tomaintain a constant stored charge in said solar cell or solarmodule. 24.An apparatus for measurement of current and voltage of a solar cell orsolar module at instantaneous intensities, said apparatus comprising: alight source that generates a light pulse; an intensity detector thatreceives said light pulse and produces a light intensity signal; andcircuitry means for varying a terminal voltage of said solar cell orsolar module during said light pulse according substantially to theequationterminal voltage=K1−K2*(light intensity signal), wherein said values K1and K2 are positive constants and K2 is nonzero, wherein said values K1and K2 are chosen such that said measured terminal current and terminalvoltage at each illumination intensity during said light pulse aresubstantially similar to steady state current and voltage data at eachillumination intensity.
 25. An apparatus as recited in claim 24 whereinthe value K2*(light intensity signal) is in a range of about 5% to about15% of the value K1 when the value K1−K2*(light intensity signal) is themaximum power voltage of the solar cell or module.
 26. An apparatus asrecited in claim 25 wherein the value K2*(light intensity signal) isabout 10% of the value K1 when the value K1−K2*(light intensity signal)is the maximum power voltage of the solar cell or module.
 27. Anapparatus as recited in claim 24 wherein said light source is aflashlamp, an LED source, or another pulsed light source.
 28. Anapparatus as recited in claim 27 wherein said light source is a Xenonflashlamp.
 29. An apparatus as recited in claim 24 wherein said analogcircuitry means varies said terminal voltage substantially asterminal voltage=K1−K2*function (light intensity signal), wherein saidfunction is designed to give an expected terminal current for each lightintensity for said solar cell or solar module.
 30. An apparatus asrecited in claim 24 wherein said light source generates successive lightpulses, said apparatus further comprising: means for stepping the valueK1 from 0 volts up to the open-circuit voltage of the said solar cell orsolar module.
 31. An apparatus as recited in claim 24 wherein saidcircuitry means is analog circuitry means.
 32. An apparatus as recitedin claim 24 wherein said circuitry means is implemented using digitalsynthesis.
 33. An apparatus as recited in claim 24 wherein said equationincludes at least one higher order term terms.
 34. An apparatus asrecited in claim 24 wherein said solar cell or solar module is ahigh-efficiency solar cell or solar module having an efficiency ofgreater than about 17%.
 35. A method as recited in claim 24 furthercomprising: varying said terminal voltage to maintain a constant storedcharge in said solar cell or solarmodule.
 36. An apparatus formeasurement of current and voltage of a solar cell or solar module atinstantaneous intensities, said apparatus comprising: a light sourcethat generates a light pulse; said solar cell or solar module having aterminal current in response to said light pulse; and circuitry meansfor varying a terminal voltage of said solar cell or solar module duringsaid light pulse according substantially to the equationterminal voltage=K1−K2*(terminal current), wherein said values K1 and K2are positive constants and K2 is nonzero, wherein said values K1 and K2are chosen such that said measured terminal current and terminal voltageat each illumination intensity during said light pulse are substantiallysimilar to steady state current and voltage data at each illuminationintensity.
 37. An apparatus as recited in claim 36 wherein the valueK2*(terminal current) is in a range of about 5% to about 15% of thevalue K1 when the value K1−K2*(terminal current) is the maximum powervoltage of the solar cell or module.
 38. An apparatus as recited inclaim 37 wherein the value K2*(terminal current) is about 10% of thevalue K1 when the value K1−K2*(terminal current) is the maximum powervoltage of the solar cell or module.
 39. An apparatus as recited inclaim 36 wherein said light source is a flashlamp, an LED source, oranother pulsed light source.
 40. An apparatus as recited in claim 39wherein said light source is a Xenon flashlamp.
 41. An apparatus asrecited in claim 36 wherein said light source generates successive lightpulses, said apparatus further comprising: means for stepping the valueK1 from 0 volts up to the open-circuit voltage of the said solar cell orsolar module.
 42. An apparatus as recited in claim 36 wherein saidcircuitry means is analog circuitry means.
 43. An apparatus as recitedin claim 36 wherein said circuitry means is implemented using digitalsynthesis.
 44. An apparatus as recited in claim 36 wherein said equationincludes at least one higher order term.
 45. An apparatus as recited inclaim 36 wherein said solar cell or solar module is a high-efficiencysolar cell or solar module having an efficiency of greater than about17%.
 46. A method as recited in claim 36 further comprising: varyingsaid terminal voltage to maintain a constant stored charge in said solarcell or solar module.